Singapore Travel Answers

It depends very much on what you are interested in. I like history so I would head for the Singapore River, look at Boat Quay, Clark Quay, Merlion statue, St Andrew's Cathedral, the Pedang, Chjimes and the Raffles Hotel. Singapore also has lovely parks such as the Japanese/ Chinese Gardens, the botanical gardens. If you are into shopping you may prefer to head to Orchard Road or Buggis. Little India and Chinatown are interesting, too.

Take the subway (MRT) to one of the neighbourhood town and have your breakfast (if you haven't have it on the plane). There you can experience Singapore in the local environment. Stations like Eunos, Aljunied or Paya Lebar is a good start. Most shopping centre do not open until 10:00am (that's true)but some supermarket or hypermarket are open earlier in the day on weekends (8:00am) Also, alot of tourist spot along Singapore River, Marina Bay are accessible at any time of the day. Hope you enjoy your short layover here.

Ahh..what a great opportunity. Personally I would get a cab to Orchard Towers and hop across the road to the Hilton for the excellent buffet breakfast. Then when fully stuffed stroll down Orchard Rd taking in some of the excellent shopping opportunities. I'd stop at Raffles late morning gor a couple of 'slings' at the long bar...check out the tiger and girl painting (if anyone knows the artist, I would be interested in a copy), Fortified by the slings I would continue the walk (or, ok maybe takes a cab/rickshaw) to the quay area and lunch at any one of the excellent dining establishements. Long lunch, then cab back to Changi and check in one of the executive lounges for some hospitality.....burp....

Have breakfast at Raffles, and then relax at Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the one with 3 towers and the swimming pool that is supported by all of them.

Singapore Changi airport cares a lot for transit passengers. In a leaflet published by the airport, they list - among others - a free Singapore sightseeing tour, a rooftop swimming pool and cinemas at the airport and more. Also check the events/trade fair calendar of the Exhibition Center, which is only one subway stop from the airport.

Changi airport offers a free two-hour tour of the city (which might be too short for you). See changiairport.com/at-changi/...

Get a 1 day pass river cruise ride for only12 (singapore dollars). Its unlimited just hop-on and off. There would be many stop overs like Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Esplanade (twin shells), Singapore Flyer(world's largest observation wheel),Merlion Park. Walk around and enjoy the view! I always wanted to try the ducktours...I'll do it next month.

Thanks so much for all your wonderful suggestions! :) But I figured that 11 hours might not be enough so I've decided to forget about the 11-hour layover and take my connecting flight the next day. Therefore, I have approximately 27 hours in SG. So, this brings up a whole new set of questions. Lol. Like where to stay for the night??? Thanks so much in advance! :)

Check in hotel 81 its around120 (sing) a night or find a cheaper backpack hostel in Little India would be less than100. Shop around Bugis street and Chinatown! Love the food from SG there are many hawker stalls...A day in Singapore you can do a lot! get some info from the airport tourism authority ( free maps with %). Visit Sentosa, Universal Studio, Esplanade, Clarke Quay at night, Botanical garden, SG zoo or night safari, museums etc...Oh BEFORE you get out of the immigration you should ask the counter at the left side, since you'll be there for a day could you check in the airport hotel and get a 1 day pass to visit SG. I think they have this for people with long stop overs, but maybe you cant get off the bus...Kindly ask and find out your options! All the best!

Wow! Thanks so much, quincey! Will definitely take those in consideration! Is hotel 81 a decent hotel? Glad to know that I could do a lot of things during my 1-day stopover! I'm planning to avail of this tour (http://www.ducktours.com.sg/ssp.php). Do you think it's worth it? Thanks a lot!

yes hotel 81 is decent...there are many branches...i checked in the one in little india it was good, the staff were really friendly and quick to comply on my request. I was walking around Sungai area at with my cousin there was hotel 81 its at Joo Chiat...near paya lebar station...many shops around just across the market n mall...u can check out the website as their rates differ per location. The room I had didnt have any windows ( who needs it when your there to sleep). The sheets are clean and thick enough to warm your toes, theres liquid soap, tooth brush tissues , coffee, bottled water, water boiler and hair dryer! about ducktours, hmmmm ive been wanting to try it sounds fun! my cousin n I did the river ride ...it was short but he enjoyed it...not many locals really appreciate the rides coz theyve been living there and its common for them...yes try all u can! Singapore is a tourist friendly country! go for it :-)

Hotel 81 is a budget hotel. It had quite a few branches and depend which one you go to, it can be quite sleazy in certain location. This hotel started out in a red light district. Most of the shops in Bugis Village only opens after 12noon. Mainly selling apparel/ accessories from Thailand, China and some from Korea. If you want to shop for some nice stuff, you will need to head for Orchard Road/ Vivo City. Branded stuff will be ION, Mandarin Gallery, Paragon, Marina Sands, Palais Renaisance and Hilton Hotel. Attraction: Sentosa, some nice view around Marina Sands History of Singapore: Old Ford Factory (history of Singapore in World War II) Brunch: House @ Dempsey, PS Cafe @ Dempsey Local Food: Bedok Food Centre (Stop at Bedok MRT)

Oh that's good to know! As long as there are no bugs or cockroaches. Haha! Yeah, I won't bother not having any windows in my room, too. I'll just dump my stuff there, then go back in the evening to shower and sleep. Will check out hotel 81 now. :) So, one last question: I was told that since I'll be staying in SG for more than 24 hours, I have to collect my check-in baggage upon arriving. 20-kg worth of baggage. I have read that Singapore Air passengers are allowed to check-in 48hrs before the actual flight. Is that right? I was thinking... I'll check-in right after collecting my baggage, get my boarding pass and shot off Changi to go on with my tour. Is that even possible? Sorry for all my questions! Thanks in advance! :)

Ask all you can! Thats what we are here for, yes its true but depends on the airlines....better u find the airline's ticketing office or check in counter from the DEPARTURES at terminal 1,2 and 3. Actually u have the same way to exit and enter except passing thru the immigration. If you are taking the same airlines onwards then ask the flight attendant, if its possible to check in early. Not all airlines offer early check in, some for 24 hours or even 6 hours earlier.

I also agree with Doraem, you can go shopping at Vivo and orchard..lots of really good shops and branded items. I love shopping from that side also. VT use to have an option to find rated back packers hostel from each country. It was really helpful maybe they can put in up again. Yeah some Hotel 81 branch are not so good, so far the one at Dickson was decent since its new. I have not tried others only that one as I mention you have options just check it out.